Advancing the Status of Women Locally and Worldwide
Zonta’s business meeting in May featured the award by the Santa Clarita Valley Zonta Club Foundation of $15,000 in grants to local organizations who assist women and children, and $1,500 in scholarship funds to two young women. The recipients all strive to improve the status of women and children through health, education, and service.
The Jane M. Klausman Women in Business scholarship was awarded to Jenny Jao, a sophomore at USC majoring in international business. The Zonta Club of SCV Foundation offers the scholarship annually to encourage leadership among women in the fields of business. In addition to an outstanding academic record, Ms. Jao has been active at USC in the Marshall Business School Student Government, and the Special Olympics, among other organizations. Ms. Jao is eligible to compete at the District level with a potential of receiving one of six $5,000 scholarships to be awarded by the Zonta International Foundation.
The Young Women in Public Affairs scholarship recipient, Diana Park, received $500, as a young woman who has demonstrated leadership skills and interest in volunteer or civic causes. Diana is a student at West Ranch High School and participated in this year’s 30-Hour Famine, to raise funds for African famine victims. She plans on pursuing a degree in political science or law. Having won the local SCV scholarship, Diana is eligible to compete at the District level and potentially receive one of five awards from Zonta International.
Through its Zonta Community Grants Program, the SCV Zonta Club Foundation also awarded $15,000 in grants to local non-profits to assist specific programs aimed at improving the health and education of women and girls. The winners and programs are: The Santa Clarita Youth Project: to support The Girls’ Issues Group and The Family Issues Group; Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles: to sponsor SCV girls to attend Camp Lakota where they learn teamwork and leadership skills; Single Mothers Outreach: for a financial literacy course for single parents; Child & Family Center Foundation: for the Women’s Initiative Voucher program; The Boys and Girls Club: for their Robotics for Girls Program; The Domestic Violence Center: for an emergency safety program; Circle of Hope: to provide education concerning insurance and public assistance programs for breast cancer patients. Grants also were awarded to Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, The SCV Committee on Aging, and The SCV Food Pantry.
For more information about Zonta, please contact 661-252-9351.